Releasing rope socket



c. H. swEr 2,060,403

RELEASING ROPE SOCKET Filed Aug. 2'?, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 1o, 1936.

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Nov. 10, 1936.

CL PL SMNEEET RELEASING ROPE SOCKET Filed Aug. 27, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 1 0, 1936 UNITED STATES PATNT l OFFICE RELEASING ROPE SOCKET Application August 27, 1934, Serial No. 741,714

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a connection for well drilling equipment and relates more particularly to a rope socket. A general object of this invention is to provide an effective, dependable rope socket that may be readily released.

Various tools employed in well drilling operations are operated on wire rope lines or cables. Devices known as rope sockets are usually employed to connect the, tools with the lower ends of the cables. The typical rope sockets now in general use are not capable of being released in the Well. Cable operated tools frequently become caught in the wells and as the usual rope sockets cannot be released the cables must be cut to free them from the caught tools. When a tool becomes caught in a Well it is customary to pull upwardly on the cable in an attempt to dislodge or free the tool. The cable sometimes breaks during such attempts to recover a caught tool, It is extremely diflieult, if not impossible, to cut a cable immediately adjacent a tool caught in a Well and a portion of the cable usually remains on the caught tool following the cutting and Withdrawal of the cable.. Likewise when a cable breaks during an attempt to dislodge a caught tool it usually breaks some distance above the tool. The portion of thc broken or cut cable remaining on the tool prevents the proper engagement of the shing tools with it and thus greatly hampers the iishing operations. In many instances prolonged expensive shing operations are necessary to recover a caught tool because of the presence of a portion of cable on the tool.

Another object ci this invention is to provide a rope socket for connecting a wire rope or cable with a Well tool that may be easily and quickly released to free the cable from the tool. When a well tool, connected with a Wire rope line or cable by the rope socket of the present invention, becomes caught in a Well, the. socket may be readily released so that the entire cable may be withdrawn from 'the well leaving the caught tool and the body of the socket freely accessible and engageable by iishing tools.

Another object of the invention is to provide a releasing rope socket of the character mentioned that normally dependably connects the line or cable. with the well tool and cannot accidentally release during operation of the tool.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rope socket of the character mentioned that may be released when desired or necessary by a weight element dropped or run into the well on the cable. The socket of the. present invention is released by a Weight which is adapted to function (Cl. Z55-26) under conditions in which a device for striking a blow might become caught or made inoperative.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rope socket of the character mentioned that em- 5 bodies a tubular body to be connected to the well tool, which body has its upper end exposed and open after the releasing of the socket and the Withdrawal of the cable so that a spear or similar internal fishing tool may be run into its upper 10 end to grip its interior or a socket, overshot, or other external shing tool may be run down over the body to grip its exterior for the purpose of recovering the caught tool.

Another object of the invention is to provide l5 a releasing rope socket that may be designed to allow relative rotation between the wire rope line or cable and the well tool.

Another object of the invention is to provide a releasing rope socket that will not become 20" sanded up or made inoperative by accumulations of sand or the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a releasing rope socket that is simple and inexpensive and that is adapted for use in con- 25 nection with Well tools of various characters.

The various objects and features of my invention may be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical form and application of the invention, throughout which 30 description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the rope socket of this invention connecting a line with a tool and illustrating the Weight element on the cable 35 above the socket. Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal detailed sectional view of the releasing rope socket illustrating the parts in the normal positions Where the socket connects the line or cable with the tool. fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the principal parts of the socket in the normal positions. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the dogs or latches released and the stem moved to its down or released position by the weight 45 element. Figs. 5 and 6 are enlarged transverse detailed sectional views taken as indicated by lines 5-5 and 6 6, respectively, on Fig. 1 and Figs. 7 and 8 are enlarged, transverse detailed sectional views taken as indicated by lines 1-1 50' and 8 8, respectively, on Fig. 2.

The releasing rope socket of the present invention includes, generally, a body l0 adapted to be attached to a Well tool T, a stemV or mandrel ll to be connected to a line L and normally 56 Fig. 3 is an enlarged 40' extending into the body I0, a releasable connection I2 between the mandrel II and body ID, a control I3 normally holding the connection I2 against releasing and a weight element I4 adapted to actuate the control I3 whereby the connection I2 may be released.

The body Ill is a socketed or tubular member having a central longitudinal opening I5. The body I0 is intended to be connected with the upper end of a well tool and its opening I5 normally receives the mandrel II. In the drawings I have illustrated a suitable connecting member I6 threaded on the lower end of the body IIJ for the purpose of connecting the body with the tool T. The connecting member I6 has a socket I1 in its lower end receiving a threaded pin I8 of the tool T. The body opening I5 has a cylindrical enlargement I9 in its upper portion terminating in an upwardly facing shoulder 20. A restriction or annular flange 2| is provided on the wall of the body opening I5 at a point between the opposite ends of the body. The lower end of the flange 2| consitutes a downwardly facing shoulder 22 on the interior of the body I0. If desired ports 23 may be provided in the connecting member I6 to put the body opening I5 in communication with the well bore.

The body I0 is preferably provided with means whereby it may be readily engaged and held by a socket, overshot or similar type of fishing tool as well as by a spear or other internal fishing tool. A series of spaced annular grooves is provided in the exterior of the body I0 at a suitable distance below its upper end to provide a plurality of downwardly facing wickers or shoulders 24. The shoulders 24 are adapted to be engaged by the slips of an overshot, socket or the like. A series of annular downwardly facing wickers or shoulders 25 is provided on the wall of the body opening I5 below the shoulder 20 for engagement by the slips or gripping parts of a spear or similar shing tool.

The mandrel I I is intended to be suitably rigidly connected to the line L of wire rope or cable. The mandrel II is shiftably or freely received in the body opening I5 and projects from the upper end of the body IQ. In the particular application of the invention illustrated in the drawings a typical or common rope socket 26 is secured to the lower end of the line L and a pin 21 on the upper end of the mandrel II is threaded into the socket 26 to connect the mandrel with the line L. Wickers or shoulders 2lia may be provided on the socket 26 to facilitate its engagement by a fishing tool in the event that the line L breaks during the operation of the well tool T. A central longitudinal opening 28 is provided in the mandrel II for the purpose to be subsequently described. An outwardly projecting flange 29 is provided on the mandrel II within the enlargement I9 of the body opening and is adapted to cooperate with the shoulder 20 to limit the inward or downward movement of the mandrel.

The connection I2 normally holds the mandrel II against disconnection from the body I0 and is releasable by a strain on the line L. 'I'he releasable connection I2 includes aplurality of flexible fingers 30 on the lower end of the mandrel I I. The lingers 3D may be integral with the mandrel II and may be formed by cutting a plurality of spaced longitudinal slots in the lower portion of the mandrel. The ngers 30 extend downwardly through the flange 2l and are provided 'adjacent their lower ends with outwardly projecting enlargements or lugs 3|. The upper sides 32 of the lugs 3| oppose the shoulder 22 and cooperate therewith through the medium of an antifriction bearing 33 to hold the mandrel against upward displacement or detachment from the body I0. The lingers 30 may normally tend to spring outwardly so that the lugs 3| cooperate with the bearing 33. The lingers 3U are sufliciently flexible to bend inwardly when an upward strain is put on the mandrel II to cause slippage between the upper surfaces 32 of the lugs 3| and the lower side 0f the bearing 33. The upper faces 32 of the lugs 3| and the lower side of the anti-friction bearing 33 are preferably inclined upwardly and inwardly so that the faces 32 may freely slip or slide on the bearing and cause inward flexing of the lingers 30 when the mandrel is moved upwardly relative to the body I0. The anti-friction bearing 33 interposed between the lugs 3| and the shoulder 22 allows substantially free relative rotation between the body I0 and mandrel II.

Means may be provided for absorbing shocks to the mandrel |I and for urging the mandrel upwardly so that the lugs 3| normally cooperate with or bear against the bearing 33. A spring 34 surrounds the mandrel I within the body opening I5 and is arranged under compression between opposing shoulders 35 t0 yieldingly hold the body I0 and mandrel II in positions where the lugs 3| cooperate with the bearing 33. The spring 34 yields under but resists inward movement of the mandrel I I with respect to the body I0 and thus acts to absorb shocks. A set screw 36 may be provided to attach the spring 34 to the mandrel I I so that the spring is withdrawn from the body IU when the mandrel is released from the body I0 and removed from the well on the line L.

The control I3 normally holds the fingers 30 against inward movement and disengagement from the bearing 33 and thus normally prevents disconnection of the mandrel II from the body I0. The control I3 is adapted to be released or actuated by the weight element I4 to allow the inward flexing of the fingers 30 when the mandrel II is moved upwardly with respect to the body I0 to release the device or socket. In accordance with the preferred form of the in- Vention the control I3 includes a longitudinally shiftable stem 31 in the opening 28 of the mandrel II. The stem 31 extends downwardly between the fingers 30 and has an enlargement or head 38 within the lower portions of the lingers. When the stem 31 is in the position illustrated in 2 and 3 of the drawings the head 38 positively prevents inward flexing of the fingers 3U and disengagement of the lugs 3| from the bearing 33. The upper end of the head 38 is preferably inclined upwardly and inwardly to allow the fingers 30 to gradually fiex inwardly when the mandrel is moved upwardly following the release of the control I3.

The control I3 includes a sleeve 39 surrounding the mandrel II and extending downwardly into the enlargement I9 of the body opening. The sleeve 39 projects a suitable distance upwardly from the upper end of the body I0 and is shiftable on the body. An enlargement or head 4I is provided on the upper end portion of the stem 31 and slidably or shiftably ts the opening 28. A connection is provided between the stem 31 and the sleeve 39. This connection may include a pin 40 arranged in a transverse opening in the head 4| and extending through longitudinal slots 42 in the wall of the mandrel II. 'I'he opposite end portions of the pin 4I) are received in openings 43-in the sleeve 39. A vscrew 44 holds the pin 40 against displacement. The weight element I4 is adapted to engage' and rest on the sleeve 39 to move the stem 31'downwardly .toa position where its head 38 isbelow the ngers 30 so that the fingers may be ilexed inwardly when the mandrel-II is moved upwardly by applying a strain to the line L.

Latch means is embodied in the control I3 to normally hold the stem 31 against downward movement. The latch means'is releasable by the weight element I4 and includes one or more dogs 45 carried by the mandrel II for cooperating with the sleeve 39. In vthe drawings I have shown two like dogs 45 ypivotally supported in longitudinal slots 46 in theA mandrel II. The dogs 45 have outwardly projecting fingers 41 adjacent their lower ends and the lower portions of the dogs are normally received in the upper end ofthe sleeve 39. The fingers 41 of the' dogs cooperate with a groove 48 in the interior of the sleeve 39. A spring 49 is arranged under compression between the pivoted dogs 45 to normally yieldingly hold the dogs in their out or active positions where the `lingers 41 cooperate with the groove 48. The dogs 45 are each provided with cam like parts projecting from the slots 46 and presenting downwardly and outwardly inclined surfaces 50. The surfaces 50 are engaged by the weight element I4 to cause inward movement of the dogs and vdisengagement of the fingers 41 from the sleeve 39 as will be subsequently described. A spiralled spring' 5I may be arranged under compression between the lower end of the head 38 and the connecting member I 6 to yieldingly urge the stem 31 upwardly and relieve the fingers 41 of strain and shock. A screw 52 connects the spring 4I with the stem 31 so that the spring is removed from the 'body I0 together with themandrel when the device or socket is disconnected.

The weight element I4 is adapted to be passed or run into the well to depress the sleeve 39 when it becomes desirable or necessary to release the line L from the tool T. In accordance with the invention the weight element I4 is constructed sothat it may be readily arranged or assembled around the line L at the well derrick and allowed to slide or pass downwardly on the line to come to rest on the sleeve 39. The weight element I4 includes a tubular body 54 provided with a longitudinal slot 55. The slot 55 extends from one end to the other of the body 54 and is adapted to pass or admit the line L whereby the body may be arranged on the line. The body 54 is preferably of substantial length to be of sufiicient weight to properly release the dogs 45 and depress the sleeve 39 and stem 31.

Means is provided for preventing disengagement of the weight element I4 from the cable L. Split collars are provided on the opposite ends of the body 54. One section 56 of each collar is welded or otherwise attached to the body 54. The other section 51 of each collar is adapted to be passed into the end portion of the body 54 to a position where it abuts the section 56 and closes or extends across the slot 55. The sections 51 are arranged in place after the body 54 has been passed onto the line L. Screws 58 may be employed to attach the removable collar sections 51 to the body 54. Spaced tangential openings 59 may be provided in the body 54 to intersect the slot 55. Pins SII may be arranged in the openings 59 to pass transversely through the slot 55. The ends of the pins 60 may be peaned over to prevent the accidental displacement of the pins. The pins 60 prevent the line L from bending or looping outward through the slot 55 when the weight element I4 is passing downwardly on the line.

The releasing rope socket of the present invention is adapted to be assembled as illustrated in Figs. l,v 2 and 3 of the drawings to connect the well tool T With the lower end of the line L. VThe tool T is adapted to be run into and out of the well and operated as may be required. The releasing rope socket normally forms a strong dependable connection between the line L and the tool T.

In the event that the tool T becomes stuck or caught in the well and cannot be dislodged by putting safe upstrains on the line L it may become necessary to release the line L from the tool T. The body 54 of the weight element I4 may be easily arranged on the line L and secured against displacement therefrom by the collar sections 51. The pins 69 may be inserted in the openings 59 to prevent looping or buckling of the line L through the slot 55. When the weight element I4 is properly assembled on the line L at the well derrick it may be dropped to slide or pass downwardly on the line. The weight element I4 passes downwardly on the line L and passes over the rope socket 26. The lower collar sections 56 and 51 move into engagement with the inclined surfaces 59 of the dogs 45 and the weight element I4 operates to move the dogs inwardly. The inward movement of the dogs 55 releases their fingers 41 from the groove 48 and when the weight element I4 comes to rest on the sleeve 39 its weight moves the sleeve downwardly, After this downward movement of the sleeve 39 the weight element I4 comes to rest on the upper end of the body I0. The downward movement of the sleeve 39 causes corresponding downward movement of the stem 31 which moves the head 38 downwardly from between the fingers 30. Following the actuation or the release of the control I3 bythe weight element I4 a suitable pull or upstrain is put on the line L to release the connection I2 and withdraw the mandrel II from the body I0. The upstrain on the line L causes the surfaces 32 of the lugs 3I to slide on the inclined end of the bearing 33 and results in inward flexing of the fingers 30. In this manner the fingers 30 are disengaged from the bearing 33. After the disengagement of the lugs 3| from the bearing 33 the mandrel II is free to be moved upwardly out of the body I 0. The springs 34 and 5I are connected to the mandrel II so that they are withdrawn from the body I0 together with the mandrel. The sleeve 39 and the weight element I4 are supported by the flange 29 to be withdrawn from the well on the line L.

The entire line L, together with the mandrel II, the parts connected with the mandrel and the weight element I4 may be readily withdrawn from the well following the release of the connection I2 as described above. The withdrawal of the line L from the well leaves the body III of the device openand accessible for ready engagement by fishing tools. The upper end of the body I 0 is open and entirely exposed so that a spear or similar iishing tool may be run into it to engage the shoulders 25. If desired or found more practical a socket or overshot may be run downwardly over the upper end of the body IU to bring its gripping parts into engagement with the shoulders 24. The shing tool in directly cooperating with the wickers or shoulders of the body I!! in most cases may readily dislodge the tool T and recover it from the well. It is to be particularly noted that the socket body I0 is open and freely accessible following the withdrawal of the mandrel ll so that the shing operations are not hampered by the presence of a cable or any other part.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific form and application herein set forth, but Wish to reserve to myself any modifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims:

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. A device for connecting a Well tool with an operating cable including a mandrel on the cable, a body connected with the tool having an opening for receiving the mandrel, a part on the mandrel releasably cooperating with the body to connect the mandrel therewith, a member movable in the mandrel and normally holding the part against release from the body, a sleeve at the exterior of the mandrel connected with the member, and an element adapted to be run into the well to cooperate with the sleeve and move the member to an inoperative position.

2. A device for connecting a well tool with an operating cable including a mandrel on the cable, a body connected with the tool having an opening for receiving the mandrel, a part on the mandrel releasably cooperating with the body to connect the mandrel therewith, a stem movable in the mandrel and normally holding the part against release from the body, a sleeve at the exterior of the mandrel connected with the stem, a latch cooperating with the sleeve to hold the stem against movement, and an element to be run into the well to release the latch and move the stem to an inoperative position.

3. A device for connecting a well tool with an operating cable including a mandrel on the cable', a body connected with the tool having an opening for receiving the mandrel, a flexible iinger on the mandrel having releasable cooperation with the body Vto connect the mandrel therewith, a movable member normally holding the nger against release from the body, and means for moving the member out of retaining cooperation with'the ringer.

4. A device for connecting a well tool with an operating cable including a mandrel on the cable, a body connected with the tool having an opening for receiving the mandrel, a shoulder on the body, exible fingers on the mandrel cooperating with the shoulder to connect the mandrel and body, a movable member normally holding the fingers against disengagement from the shoulder, latch means holding the member against movement and gravity means for releasing the latch means and moving the member to a position where the fingers may disengage from the shoulder.

5. A device for connecting a well tool with an operating cable including a mandrel on the cable, a body connected with the tool having an opening for receiving the mandrel, a shoulder on the body, exible ngers on the mandrel and body, an anti-friction bearing between the fingers and shoulder, a movable member normally holding the ngers against disengagement from the shoulder, latch means holding the member against movement and gravity means for releasing the latch means and moving the member to a positionwhere the ngers may disengage from the shoulder.

6. A device for connecting a well tool with an operating cable including a mandrel on the cable, a body connected with the tool having an opening for receiving the mandrel, a part on the mandrel releasably cooperating with the body to connect the mandrel therewith, a stem movable in the mandrel and normally holding the part against release from the body, a sleeve at the exterior of the mandrel connected with the stem, a latch cooperating with the sleeve to hold the stem against movement, and a weight to be passed down on the cable to release the latch and move the stern to an inoperative position.

CECIL H. SWEET. 

